I have 9 laying hens, four roos (processing three today, just now big enough). They are fed layer mash from local feed mill, grit, oyster shell or lime (not hydrated), food grade. I prefer oyster shell but am out for now. They are in a large coop, free range on 1 acre, except now too much snow for them. I use pine shavings in coop with lime to control odor. Here is my problem: I wormed my chickens because they were showing signs of Gape worm. Gaping and head shaking. My neighbors free range their chickens too and they gaped as well. Well I treated mine with Ivermectin Pour On and they would seem to get gape worm again, but my neighbors never treated theirs with anything and their roos were always mounting my hens and around so I assumed they were getting it from them. All my neighbors chickens were killed last summer by a coon so I thoght it a good time to worm my chickens because there were no other chickens around now. I did, for two weeks everyone stopped gaping, as in the past, then week 3-4 it started again. I look down their throats and see nothing, no vet in area will help or even test feces so it's up to me to figure this out. Could they be getting gape worm this often, could it just be the ground in my area? They are laying ok, it has tapered off though due to the cold. But some are still laying, laying has never stopped fully. Any "episode" of gape in the past never did they stop laying. So I am confused, not sure what to do. Is there something I can put on the ground to help control this? Or could I be thinking a normal chicken behavior is gape worm and they are fine? Any help would be appreciated. I am at a loss here. I will have to laugh at myself if I have been doing all this for nothing, you live and learn.
Thanks
Carolyn
Thanks
Carolyn
